Officers were called at 1.15pm on Saturday to a report of a road traffic collision involving one vehicle which had left the motorway between junctions four and five northbound and collided with a tree.
Emergency services attended and despite their best efforts, sadly a 33-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 31-year-old man also in the vehicle suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains.
A number of closures were put in place whilst emergency services attended the scene.
PC Jody Oakley, from GMP's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Our thoughts are with the woman's family who are all understandably distressed and devastated following this collision.
"An investigation into this collision is on-going and anyone who may have seen anything, has any information or has dash cam footage is asked to contact us."
Information can be submitted online at: www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting log 1386 of 08/05/2021.
